Bergen County Gets Greater Israel Presence

September 27, 2006--New Jersey -- With the goal of educating the Bergen County community about how to develop and care for the land of Israel, Jewish National Fund has established a new Board of Directors to spearhead activities in the area.

Still in formation, members of the board currently include Izzet Ozdogan, CEO of Osem Food Products USA; Linda Scherzer, former CNN correspondent; the artist Zehav Wolosky; and area residents Bob Levine, Janice and Gerald Rosen, Doryne Davis, Stan Goodman, Karen Shawn, Herb Steiner and Mark Young. Representing a gamut of professions, the group offers expertise in a wide variety of fields able to bring a vast scope of ideas and energy to the board’s work.

With the board's formation, JNF- KKL emissary from Israel,Tali Tzour, is hoping to “build the foundation of JNF in the area and educate residents about JNF, its role in building the land of Israel, and connect the whole community -- its schools, congregations, adults and children -- to Israel."

“As a strong supporter of Israel and the mother of two children with dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship,” said Linda Scherzer, “I feel strongly committed to strengthening the bond between these two countries. By serving on the board of the JNF, I'm gratified to contribute my energy and expertise to an organization which helped build the foundation of the Jewish State and continues to be an important force in shaping its future and the quality of life for all its People.”

“Thanks to the impetus of one dynamic Israeli Shlicha, Tali Tzour, and the devotion of a number of residents of Bergen County, a new Bergen County JNF Board has been established,” said Bob Levine, chair of JNF’s Israel Advocacy and Education Department. “When these interested parties were brought together to hear the dynamic story of the Jewish National Fund's 105- year history and its many past contributions as well as its future plans to develop Israel's Negev desert they said, ‘Hineinu. We are here and ready to help.’”

Major celebratory events for the entire community and intimate parlor meetings are planned to bring the message to a large portion of the county. A large scale Tu B’Shevat event is in the works and the annual Teaneck dinner run by Bob Levine will continue.

The board invites anyone who is interested and can invest time and experience to join them. For more information, please contact Tali Tzour at ttzour@jnf.org or 973-593-0095.

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JEWISH NATIONAL FUND (JNF) began in 1901 as a dream and vision to reestablish a homeland in Israel for Jewish people everywhere. Jews the world over collected coins in iconic JNF Blue Boxes, purchasing land and planting trees until ultimately, their dream of a Jewish homeland was a reality. JNF gives all generations of Jews a unique voice in building a prosperous future for the land of Israel and its people.

JNF embodies both heart and action; our work is varied in scope but singular in benefit. We strive to bring an enhanced quality of life to all of Israel’s residents, and translate these advancements to the world beyond. JNF is greening the desert with millions of trees, building thousands of parks, creating new communities and cities for generations of Israelis to call home, bolstering Israel’s water supply, helping develop innovative arid-agriculture techniques, and educating both young and old about the founding and importance of Israel and Zionism.

JNF is a registered 501(c)(3) organization and United Nations NGO, which continuously earns top ratings from charity overseers.

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